The Nassau Crime Lab Scandal Costs $1 Million, So Far

The Nassau Crime Lab scandal costs $1 Million so far, according to an article published in Sunday’s Newsday.

In previous articles, we described the scandal through its many twists and turns, but the true cost to the county, both financial and otherwise, may take years to fully emerge.

The one million dollar figure referred to in the article is the sum already paid to the Pennsylvania lab that is conducting re-testing of old cases and testing of new cases. Less than half of those scheduled re-testings have been conducted.Re-testing of old misdemeanors has not even begun yet. There is no timeline as to when the testing will be completed.

In the meantime, the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken over some of the functions of the police lab.

There are plans to build a new lab in New Cassell operated by civilian scientists. The Nassau Legislature has approved $3.87 million for the design and construction of this lab. When and if this lab is built, the total cost to the county is likely to greatly exceed the funds approved by the legislature. Until then, the county will still be paying outside labs for testing.

First Deputy Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter hopes that all testing will be conducted by the end of the year. The State Report published last year recommended retesting should be expanded to include all disciplines — including fingerprints at crime scenes, ballistics, hair and clothing fibers.